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Best pension fund
Find out which pension funds have performed the best in over the last 5 years.
When choosing funds to invest your pension pot in, one of the things you’ll want to know is how they’ve performed in the past. It’s not an indication of future results, but it’s a good place to start. We’ve looked at the performance of some of the funds on Hargreaves Lansdown’s Wealth Shortlist and compiled the ten that have performed the best over the last five years.
Click on the fund name in the first column, and you’ll be scrolled down to find out a bit more about the objectives of the fund, its risk profile and the main companies you’ll be investing in.
List of the best pension funds
| Fund name | 24/12/15 – 24/12/16 | 24/12/16 – 24/12/17 | 24/12/17 – 24/12/18 | 24/12/18 – 24/12/19 | 24/12/19 – 24/12/20 | CAGR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baillie Gifford American (Class B) | 31.43% | 21.43% | 13.43% | 30.46% | 122.15% | 39.31% |
| Artemis US Smaller Companies (Class I) | 42.90% | 9.40% | 5.29% | 26.97% | 25.12% | 21.20% |
| JPM Emerging Markets (Class B) | 34.59% | 31.08% | -11.53% | 29.66% | 23.94% | 20.19% |
| ASI Global Smaller Companies | 27.29% | 25.85% | -4.80% | 20.16% | 31.21% | 19.18% |
| Rathbone Global Opportunities (Class S) | 18.81% | 20.04% | -0.78% | 27.54% | 29.01% | 18.42% |
| Schroder Asian Alpha Plus (Class L) | 25.72% | 37.96% | -8.99% | 17.09% | 25.54% | 18.33% |
| FSSA Greater China Growth (Class B) | 22.56% | 30.47% | -7.91% | 27.55% | 22.55% | 18.14% |
| Legal & General US Index (Class C) | 36.04% | 9.74% | 0.10% | 27.54% | 14.03% | 16.80% |
| Baillie Gifford Managed (Class B) | 17.48% | 15.30% | -2.57% | 22.54% | 32.14% | 16.40% |
| FSSA Asia Focus | 26.04%% | 26.44% | -1.61% | 17.05% | 14.01% | 15.91% |
How we found the best pension funds
The results we’ve compiled here are based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over five years. We’ve explained how this is worked out below but it’s not exactly exciting so we won’t be offended if you choose to skip it.
Remember that these are the performances of these funds in the past. We haven’t yet mastered our ability to see into the future so we can’t tell you what will happen going forward and past performance is no guarantee of future results.
These funds all have different levels of risk and will be suitable for different risk appetites. Make sure you stick to a risk level that you’re comfortable with and aren’t tempted to go with something higher because the returns look promising.
What is the compound annual growth rate?
Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is a more accurate way of calculating the returns of an investment. It is the rate that the investment will have to grow at to consistently get the same returns that it did.This is done by adding 1 to each year’s results and multiplying them with one another. You then work out this figure to the 5th power (as it is based on performance over 5 years) or the nth power where n is the number of years of performance you have available. Then, you minus off the 1 and you have the compound annual growth rate. See? Not that exciting – go grab yourself a cuppa.
Baillie Gifford American (Class B)
Fund objective:
This fund aims to outperform the S&P500 index by at least 1.5% per annum over rolling five year periods. It invests at least 90% in shares of US companies.
This fund aims to outperform the S&P500 index by at least 1.5% per annum over rolling five year periods. It invests at least 90% in shares of US companies.
Risk:
6 out of 7
6 out of 7
- Tesla
- Shopify
- Trade Desk
- Amazon
- Wayfair
- Zoom
- Roku
- Netflix
- Alphabet
- Chegg
| Sector | % held |
|---|---|
| Software & Computer Services | 26.31% |
| Retailers | 16.60% |
| Media | 10.67% |
| Automobiles & Parts | 9.14% |
| Medical Equipment & Services | 7.50% |
| Real Estate Investment & Services | 4.57% |
| Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology | 4.53% |
| Telecommunications Service Providers | 3.83% |
| Consumer Services | 2.84% |
| Industrial Support Services | 2.35% |
| Country | % held |
|---|---|
| United States | 90.59% |
| Canada | 7.44% |
| Cash and Equivalent | 1.97% |
Artemis US Smaller Companies (Class I)
Fund objective:
This fund’s objective is simple: to grow capital over five years.
This fund’s objective is simple: to grow capital over five years.
Risk:
6 out of 7
6 out of 7
- Saia Inc
- Lpl Financial Hldgs Inc
- Pool Corp
- Jacobs Engineering Group Inc
- Itt Inc
- Terminix Global Hldgs Inc
- Booz Allen Hamilton Hldg Corp
- Churchill Downs Inc
- Elastic N V
- Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc
| Sector | % held |
|---|---|
| Software & Computer Services | 9.42% |
| Consumer Services | 5.87% |
| Industrial Engineering | 5.69% |
| Leisure Goods | 5.66% |
| Investment Banking & Brokerage Services | 5.49% |
| Industrial Transportation | 5.20% |
| Travel & Leisure | 5.10% |
| Industrial Support Services | 4.70% |
| Cash and Equiv. | 4.54% |
| Retailers | 3.85% |
| Country | % held |
|---|---|
| United States | 80.88% |
| Canada | 5.01% |
| Cash and Equiv. | 4.54% |
| Israel | 2.50% |
| Netherlands | 2.37% |
| Direct Property and REITs | 2.16% |
| United Kingdom | 1.31% |
| Puerto Rico | 1.23% |
JPM Emerging Markets (Class B)
Fund objective:
This fund aims to provide long term capital growth by investing in equity of emerging markets companies.
This fund aims to provide long term capital growth by investing in equity of emerging markets companies.
Risk:
6 out of 7
6 out of 7
- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
- Samsung Electronics Co
- Tencent Hldgs Ltd
- Alibaba Group Hldg Ltd
- Aia Group Ltd
- Sea Ltd
- Meituan
- Mercadolibre Inc
- Housing Development Finance Corp
- Hdfc Bank Ltd
| Sector | % held |
|---|---|
| Software & Computer Services | 14.80% |
| Technology Hardware & Equipment | 13.41% |
| Non-Classified | 12.77% |
| Retailers | 10.48% |
| Banks | 10.14% |
| Life Insurance | 5.85% |
| Consumer Services | 5.29% |
| Personal Care, Drug & Grocery Stores | 4.26% |
| Investment Banking & Brokerage Services | 3.21% |
| Leisure Goods | 2.91% |
| Country | % held |
|---|---|
| United States | 20.13% |
| India | 16.38% |
| Hong Kong | 16.23% |
| Non-Classified | 10.45% |
| China | 10.02% |
| Taiwan | 7.56% |
| South Korea | 5.49% |
| Brazil | 4.34% |
| Mexico | 1.87% |
| South Africa | 1.86% |
ASI Global Smaller Companies
Fund objective:
This fund aims to generate growth over the longer term by investing in global small capitalisation equities. The target is to achieve the return of the MSCI AC Country World Small Cap Index plus 3% per annum.
This fund aims to generate growth over the longer term by investing in global small capitalisation equities. The target is to achieve the return of the MSCI AC Country World Small Cap Index plus 3% per annum.
Risk:
6 out of 7
6 out of 7
- Kornit Digital Ltd
- Generac Hldgs
- Insulet Corp
- Nihon M&a Center Inc
- Axon Enterprise Inc
- Chegg Inc
- Pool Corp
- Paylocity Hldg Corp
- Amedisys Inc
- Siteone Landscape Supply
| Sector | % held |
|---|---|
| Industrial Support Services | 13.24% |
| Industrial Engineering | 12.88% |
| Software & Computer Services | 10.84% |
| Leisure Goods | 9.39% |
| Technology Hardware & Equipment | 7.54% |
| Retailers | 6.08% |
| Consumer Services | 5.97% |
| Medical Equipment & Services | 5.10% |
| Investment Banking & Brokerage Services | 4.77% |
| Health Care Providers | 4.32% |
| Country | % held |
|---|---|
| United States | 42.76% |
| Japan | 11.76% |
| United Kingdom | 9.98% |
| Taiwan | 5.31% |
| Italy | 4.97% |
| Australia | 4.45% |
| Israel | 4.15% |
| Cash and Equiv. | 3.74% |
| Germany | 3.24% |
| France | 2.57% |
Rathbone Global Opportunities (Class S)
Fund objective:
This fund aims to deliver a higher return than the Investment Association Global Sector over any five year period.
This fund aims to deliver a higher return than the Investment Association Global Sector over any five year period.
Risk:
6 out of 7
6 out of 7
- Amazon.com Inc
- Paypal Hldgs Inc
- Sartorius Stedim Biotech
- Nvidia Corp
- Adobe Inc
- Match Group Inc New
- Freshpet Inc
- Visa Inc
- Mastercard Inc
- Lonza Group Ag
| Sector | % held |
|---|---|
| Software & Computer Services | 19.86% |
| Retailers | 10.78% |
| Industrial Support Services | 10.49% |
| Technology Hardware & Equipment | 7.22% |
| Food Producers | 6.04% |
| Medical Equipment & Services | 5.80% |
| Personal Goods | 5.66% |
| Consumer Services | 5.59% |
| Investment Banking & Brokerage Services | 4.02% |
| Cash and Equiv. | 3.83% |
| Country | % held |
|---|---|
| United States | 61.97% |
| France | 6.47% |
| United Kingdom | 4.85% |
| Switzerland | 4.48% |
| Germany | 4.27% |
| Netherlands | 3.96% |
| Cash and Equiv. | 3.83% |
| Ireland | 2.77% |
| Canada | 2.64% |
| Hong Kong | 1.67% |
Schroder Asian Alpha Plus (Class L)
Fund objective:
This fund aims to maximise capital growth by investing in companies in the Asia region.
This fund aims to maximise capital growth by investing in companies in the Asia region.
Risk:
6 out of 7
6 out of 7
- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
- Tencent Hldgs Ltd
- Alibaba Group Hldg Ltd
- Samsung Electronics Co
- Aia Group Ltd
- Hdfc Bank Ltd
- Galaxy Entertainment Group
- Samsung Sdi
- Reliance Industries
- Samsung Electronics Co
| Sector | % held |
|---|---|
| Technology Hardware & Equipment | 27.02% |
| Software & Computer Services | 10.61% |
| Banks | 9.77% |
| Retailers | 7.79% |
| Life Insurance | 6.55% |
| Travel & Leisure | 4.21% |
| Personal Goods | 3.75% |
| Real Estate Investment & Services | 3.59% |
| Equity Investment Instruments | 3.52% |
| Cash and Equiv. | 3.20% |
| Country | % held |
|---|---|
| Hong Kong | 23.83% |
| South Korea | 14.67% |
| China | 14.23% |
| Taiwan | 12.12% |
| India | 11.29% |
| United Kingdom | 4.26% |
| Non-Classified | 3.84% |
| Cash and Equiv. | 3.20% |
| United States | 2.87% |
| Singapore | 2.46% |
FSSA Greater China Growth (Class B)
Fund objective:
This fund aims to achieve long term capital growth by investing in equity issued by companies that are established in the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
This fund aims to achieve long term capital growth by investing in equity issued by companies that are established in the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Risk:
6 out of 7
6 out of 7
- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
- Tencent Hldgs Ltd
- China Merchants Bank Co Ltd
- Aia Group Ltd
- Midea Group Co Ltd
- China Mengniu Dairy Co
- Alibaba Group Hldg Ltd
- Advantech Co
- Enn Energy Hldgs Ltd
- Jd.com Inc
| Sector | % held |
|---|---|
| Technology Hardware & Equipment | 25.69% |
| Household Goods & Home Construction | 9.43% |
| Retailers | 7.82% |
| Software & Computer Services | 7.76% |
| Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology | 5.77% |
| Food Producers | 5.40% |
| Life Insurance | 4.98% |
| Banks | 4.00% |
| General Industrials | 3.54% |
| Gas, Water & Multi-utilities | 3.53% |
| Country | % held |
|---|---|
| Hong Kong | 32.82% |
| China | 32.17% |
| Taiwan | 26.98% |
| United States | 4.65% |
| Singapore | 2.32% |
| Cash and Equiv. | 1.07% |
Legal & General US Index (Class C)
Fund objective:
This fund aims to provide growth by tracking the performance of the FTSE USA Index. It invests mainly in company shares and will closely match the companies that make up the Index.
This fund aims to provide growth by tracking the performance of the FTSE USA Index. It invests mainly in company shares and will closely match the companies that make up the Index.
Risk:
6 out of 7
6 out of 7
- Apple Inc
- Microsoft Corp
- Amazon.com Inc
- Facebook Inc
- Alphabet Inc
- Alphabet Inc
- Tesla Inc
- Johnson & Johnson
- Jpmorgan Chase & Co
- Visa Inc
| Sector | % held |
|---|---|
| Software & Computer Services | 16.06% |
| Technology Hardware & Equipment | 11.53% |
| Retailers | 8.02% |
| Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology | 6.42% |
| Industrial Support Services | 5.45% |
| Medical Equipment & Services | 4.00% |
| Investment Banking & Brokerage Services | 3.42% |
| Non-life Insurance | 2.89% |
| Telecommunications Service Providers | 2.83% |
| Banks | 2.51% |
| Country | % held |
|---|---|
| United States | 93.67% |
| Ireland | 2.16% |
| Cash and Equiv. | 1.76% |
| Direct Property and REITs | 1.15% |
| Switzerland | 0.38% |
| Netherlands | 0.27% |
| Canada | 0.21% |
| United Kingdom | 0.19% |
| Luxembourg | 0.11% |
| Israel | 0.08% |
Baillie Gifford Managed (Class B)
Fund objective:
This fund aims to achieve capital growth over rolling five year periods. It invests in a combination of shares, bonds and cash.
This fund aims to achieve capital growth over rolling five year periods. It invests in a combination of shares, bonds and cash.
Risk:
5 out of 7
5 out of 7
- Tesla Inc
- Amazon.com Inc
- Shopify Inc
- Trade Desk Inc(the)
- Imcd Nv
- Wayfair Inc
- Zalando Se
- Spain 1.4% 30/04/2028
- Prosus N.v.
- US Treasury 2% 15/08/2025
| Sector | % held |
|---|---|
| Bonds | 17.58% |
| Software & Computer Services | 11.90% |
| Cash and Equiv. | 8.56% |
| Retailers | 6.34% |
| Investment Banking & Brokerage Services | 3.91% |
| Media | 3.74% |
| Medical Equipment & Services | 3.37% |
| Alternative Trading Strategies | 2.96% |
| Technology Hardware & Equipment | 2.94% |
| Industrial Support Services | 2.79% |
| Country | % held |
|---|---|
| United States | 25.74% |
| United Kingdom | 18.75% |
| Cash and Equiv. | 8.56% |
| Japan | 7.69% |
| Netherlands | 4.62% |
| Sweden | 4.00% |
| Germany | 3.44% |
| France | 2.49% |
| China | 2.24% |
| Luxembourg | 1.94% |
FSSA Asia Focus
Fund objective:
This fund invests at least 80% in shares of large and mid-sized companies with a total stock market value of at least US $1 million that are operating in the Asia Pacific region including Australia and New Zealand (except Japan).
This fund invests at least 80% in shares of large and mid-sized companies with a total stock market value of at least US $1 million that are operating in the Asia Pacific region including Australia and New Zealand (except Japan).
Risk:
5 out of 7
5 out of 7
- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
- Tencent Hldgs Ltd
- Samsung Electronics Co
- Hdfc Bank Ltd
- Csl Ltd
- Midea Group Co Ltd
- Resmed Inc
- Tata Consultancy Services
- Naver Corp
- Housing Development Finance Corp
| Sector | % held |
|---|---|
| Banks | 16.37% |
| Technology Hardware & Equipment | 14.47% |
| Software & Computer Services | 10.99% |
| Personal Care, Drug & Grocery Stores | 8.17% |
| Food Producers | 6.50% |
| Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology | 4.85% |
| Household Goods & Home Construction | 4.67% |
| Electronic & Electrical Equipment | 4.37% |
| Medical Equipment & Services | 3.90% |
| General Industrials | 3.57% |
| Country | % held |
|---|---|
| India | 19.20% |
| Hong Kong | 17.52% |
| China | 12.76% |
| Taiwan | 10.84% |
| South Korea | 10.60% |
| Singapore | 6.73% |
| Australia | 4.79% |
| Japan | 4.73% |
| United States | 3.87% |
| Philippines | 2.50% |
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All investing should be regarded as longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please seek out a financial adviser. Capital at risk.
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